Advice for Picking a House Painter

A large number of homeowners hire a contractor to repaint the exterior of their home. Stick to our advice to help ensure a top quality job, whether or not you’ll have your house painted this autumn or next spring.

Meet the pros. Call at least three various providers for your project. (Friends and family are good reference sources.) And be home for the initial meeting with them. This way, you’ll know how much time each contractor took to assess the condition of your home. The lengthier he or she takes, the more rational the estimate you’ll receive, according to House Painters Pro. Even an experienced painter will need more than a swift walk around your house. Also ask each contractor about the size of his or her team and the members’ skill level.

State your expectations. The number of coats a painter applies just isn’t the only factor in determining the quality and price of the project. Preparation is also key. Professional Exterior House Painter in Spring, TX would say that if you want a surface that’s devoid of unevenness from previous paint jobs, tell the contractors– and be prepared to pay extra. But if you can live with some imperfections, agree on what degree of preparation is acceptable and what isn’t.

Get quotes. Get a written estimate from each contractor. It should include an itemization of labor, material costs, the number of coats of primer and paint, the brand and model of materials, and a detailed specification of the amount of surface preparation that will be done.

Check references and past work. Acquire a list of references from each contractor and contact them to find about their experience with the professional. A background of favorable references is a good sign. Also examine jobs the painters did several years ago to see how their work is holding up. Use the latest projects to check the skill of their present crews.

Consider credentials. Before you hire someone, consider his credentials. Membership in a trade or local business group, for example, isn’t a guarantee of quality work, but it shows a level of devotion and reliability on his part. Also verify whether the pro has the appropriate license(s). (You’ll find the licensing information in your state at the Contractor’s License Reference Site. Additionally check with the Better Business Bureau, the attorney general’s office in your state, or a local consumer-affairs agency to learn whether the contractor has a history of unanswered complaints.

Get a complete contract. The contract should include all the contractor’s major information: name, address, office and cell numbers, and license number, and also whatever details were in the estimate. Make certain the contract clearly states what is and is not provided in the job.

Get a copy of the painter’s liability and workers’ compensation insurance certificates. If he doesn’t have coverage, you could be on the hook if, for example, the crew drops a ladder on your neighbor’s car or a crew member gets hurt on the job.

Seek a guarantee. The painter ought to guarantee to rectify any chipping, peeling, blistering, flaking, or excessive fading or chalking that occurs within a couple of years after the job is done at zero or little price. If he tells you the paint itself has a warranty, keep in mind that doesn’t consist of labor, which is a far more costly proposition than material.

Choose the paint yourself. Your painter may try to persuade you into a paint he favors, but use the finish you want.

Look for lead. If your home was built before 1978, older coats of paint could very well contain lead. That means the painter may need to take additional precautions to avoid any hazards.

Hold out the final payment. Finally, do not make a huge deposit and hold back the last payment, usually 10 to 15 percent, until you are fully pleased with the job.